Anyone who took a language class in high school knows the first thing people want to know is curse words. It’s only natural to want to know the taboo words!
If you’re not a fan of cursing in any language, that’s all right. However, it may serve you to know the different curse words in different Spanish-speaking countries so you don’t accidentally offend anyone.
This can happen in English-speaking countries, too. For example, “cunt” is a fairly mild curse in Australia: it’s rude but not traffic-stopping.
However, you should proceed with extreme caution in other English-speaking countries. If you use it publicly in the United States, you risk deeply offending people or, at worst, getting punched.
Learn the curse words in Spanish worldwide to avoid offense and know which words to use in which countries.
Learning Spanish? Read 500 most common words and phrases.
Bastardo
Starting off strong, we have the Spanish word for “bastard.”
In English: My landlord is a complete bastard.
In Spanish: Mi arrendador es un completo bastardo.
“Bobo/a”
This mild insult means “stupid” or “silly.”
In English: You are so stupid.
In Spanish: Tú eres tan bobo.
Cabrón
This literally means “a male goat,” but in Mexico, it has a connotation of something like “asshole” or “fucker.” You can also use it to emphasize, for example, “I’m so fucking good at this.”
In English: Look at this asshole.
In Spanish: Mira este cabrón.
In English: I’m a fucking good cook.
In Spanish: Soy bien cabrón cocinero.
Carajo
This one means “dick” literally but is used similarly to “– as fuck” in addition to being used as an interjection.
In English: Oh, fuck!
In Spanish: ¡Ay, carajo!
In English: She’s pretty as fuck.
In Spanish: Ella es tan bonita que carajo.
Chingar
This word means “to fuck” and is a popular swear in Mexico. “Chinga tu madre” basically means “go fuck yourself” and should be used with the same amount of caution – only with friends or when you really mean it.
In English: I need the fucking thing over there.
In Spanish: Necesito la chingadera allí.
Coño
This has a similar meaning to the English word “pussy,” and is another versatile Spanish curse word. It is relatively mild, on the level of “damn,” and is a common exclamation.
In English: I don’t know shit about that.
In Spanish: No sé coño de eso.
Culo
This word means the butt or ass and is used similarly to “ass” in Spanish.
In English: I fell on my ass.
In Spanish: Me caí de culo.
Estupido/a
You guessed it; this one means “stupid.”
In English: It is the stupidest dog I’ve ever seen.
In Spanish: Es el perro mas estupido que he visto.
Hijo de puta
This means “son of a bitch” and can be used analogously. Hijo de perra also means “son of a bitch” but is a little milder.
English: You son of a bitch.
Spanish: Tu hijo de puta.
Huevón
This word means “slacker” or “moron,” someone who is either a little lazy or maybe a little dumb.
English: Stop being a slacker
Spanish: Deja de ser un huevón.
Idiota
Gotta love those English/Spanish cognates. You probably guessed this one means “idiot.”
English: Oh my god, I’m an idiot.
Spanish: Dios mio, soy idiota.
Joder
This word literally means to bother, but it can be compared to “to fuck with.”
English: Hey, don’t fuck with that.
Spanish: Ey, no jodas con eso.
Mierda
This word means “shit” and is as versatile as the English term.
English: This pen is a piece of shit.
Spanish: Este bolígrafo es de mierda.
Perezoso
This one isn’t nice, but it’s not necessarily a swear word. It means “lazy.”
English: Come on, lazy bones.
Spanish: Vamos, perezoso.
Puta
This word means “bitch” and gets a lot of mileage in Spanish. Putaso means “fucker” and puta madre means “motherfucker.”
Mild Insults in Spanish
“Bobo” is a good one, but if you need a gentle insult, try a few of these.
- Mentecato/a: Goofy, bird-brained
- Caray: a mild version of “carajo,” perhaps comparable to “darn” instead of “damn.”
- ¿Qué diablos?: What the heck or what the devil?
- Rayos: Lightning, a very mild exclamation on the level of “golly.”
- Miércoles: Literally “Wednesday,” this is a minced oath for “mierda,” like saying “son of a bee sting” instead of “son of a bitch.”
Curse Words in Mexico
- Chinga tu madre: fuck you
- Pendejo: Literally, pubic hair, but used like “jerk” or “jackass.”
- Culero: Asshole
- Pinche: Used like “fucking” to emphasize something.
- Wey: can be used to mean “dude” in a friendly way, but can also be used to mean it in a less friendly way depending on context.
Curse Words in Colombia
- Hijueputa: similar to “hijo de puta,” or son of a bitch, but milder and more versatile. Consider how a Southern U.S. English speaker might use the phrase “sumbitch,” for example: “he’s a crazy sumbitch” said with admiration.
- Culicagado: A contraction of “culo” and “cagado,” or ass and crapped, that is used to refer to younger people contemptuously. Perhaps comparable to “anklebiters” or “snotnosed kids.”
- Güevón: referring to “eggs” or testicles, this word means a dumbass.
Curse Words in Venezuela
- Jalabolas: literally, “ball-puller,” used like “brown-noser” or “boot-licker.”
- Arrecho: This word means angry only in Venezuela. If someone says, “No me hagas arrechar,” it means “Don’t piss me off.”
- Hacerse la Paja: to masturbate or to wank.
Curse Words in Puerto Rican Spanish
- ¡Me cago en ná! Is a catch-all exclamation comparable to “damn!”
- “Maldita sea la madre que te parió” is a strong exclamation that means “damn the bitch who gave birth to you.”
- Coño is a popular all-purpose swear word in Puerto Rico.
Curse Words in Cuban Spanish
- Comemierda: Shit-eater. It means something like fool or idiot.
- Puñeta: With no literal translation, “vete a puñeta” means roughly to go to hell.
- Cojones: Literally meaning testicles, this word is used as an exclamation.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the best Spanish insults can feel fun and naughty, but remember that they may seem out of place or extremely rude, depending on where you are.
Spanish is spoken in at least 20 countries, and each country has its own spin on the words and phrases considered vulgar or inappropriate. Study up so you know which words to use in traffic and which won’t offend your boss.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.